Charleston's Hope Lodge celebrates renewal with rededication ceremony

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — For decades, Charleston's Hope Lodge has been a beacon of support for cancer patients and their caregivers.

Ed Hearn, a cancer survivor, described the lodge as "a community of Cancer patients and their caregivers." Built 55 years ago, it was the first of the American Cancer Society's 31 respite locations.

"The lodge was important in that it gave us a place to stay while I was being treated for Metastatic Prostate Cancer," Hearn said. The facility is adorned with the word "Hope," symbolizing the journey and recovery of its residents. "But the hope is that after all we have gone through here that we will leave and that we will be able to recover from our treatment," Hearn added.

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Dr. Wayne Frederick, interim CEO of the American Cancer Society, emphasized the significance of hope in the face of a cancer diagnosis. "I think hope in these circumstances of a Cancer diagnosis is the anticipation of tomorrow," he said.

On Friday, a ribbon-cutting and rededication ceremony took place at the Hope Lodge, partly to honor long-time benefactor Richard Schulze. The lodge now bears Schulze's name, recognizing his contributions of millions of dollars to the cause. A portion of the funds has been used to renovate the Charleston Lodge and build other lodges nationwide.

"A lot of the support that we've received from the Richard Schulze Family Foundation helps us with maintenance, helps us with work on the building, and it also creates a space for families to come and stay for free while they get their treatment," Frederick said.

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Schulze expressed his gratitude, stating, "It's an honor for me and every member of our family you know to play a real active and meaningful role in what it takes to provide another whole level of comfort for people that suffer from Cancer."

In the past year, Charleston's Hope Lodge served 462 people, providing nearly 10 nights of free housing for those receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Schulze noted the personal significance of the Charleston location, saying, "But the spirit, the heart the caring that's here and has been for half-a-century is so special."

The facility currently has 18 beds and aims to increase that number in the future.